Lynne O’Donnell

Lynne O’Donnell is a columnist at Foreign Policy and an Australian journalist and author. She was the Afghanistan bureau chief for Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press between 2009 and 2017.

Articles by Lynne O’Donnell
An illustration of the fall of Kabul and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
An illustration of the fall of Kabul and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

How America Sealed Afghanistan’s Fate—Again

Review
Lynne O’Donnell
Taliban fighters and supporters celebrate victory.
Taliban fighters and supporters celebrate victory.

The United Nations Can Hold the Taliban Accountable

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Afghan women hold placards as they march and shout slogans such as "Bread, work, freedom" during a women's rights protest in Kabul on Aug. 13.
Afghan women hold placards as they march and shout slogans such as "Bread, work, freedom" during a women's rights protest in Kabul on Aug. 13.

Taliban Mark a ‘Black Day’ for Afghanistan With More Violence Against Women

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.
Shiite Muslims take part in a Muharram procession.

The Taliban Are Wrecking Ashura Too

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Opposition supporters march during a protest against inflation, political destabilization, and fuel price hikes in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on July 2.
Opposition supporters march during a protest against inflation, political destabilization, and fuel price hikes in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on July 2.

Pakistan Is Drowning in Debt

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Women wearing burqas in Kabul
Women wearing burqas in Kabul

Afghan Women Are Worse Off Than Ever

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Taliban fighters
Taliban fighters

The Taliban’s Neighbors Fear Afghanistan’s ‘Boiling Pot’ of Terrorism

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
A man counts Afghan currency
A man counts Afghan currency

Afghanistan Still Wants Its Frozen Funds

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Taliban fighters wait as people gather for a ceremony to raise the Taliban flag in Kabul.
Taliban fighters wait as people gather for a ceremony to raise the Taliban flag in Kabul.

The Taliban Detained Me for Doing My Job. I Can Never Go Back.

Report
Lynne O’Donnell
Afghan miners work.
Afghan miners work.

‘The Taliban Have Picked Up the Resource Curse’

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
A child walks amid the rubble of damaged houses in Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23, following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake.
A child walks amid the rubble of damaged houses in Bermal district, Paktika province, Afghanistan, on June 23, following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake.

A Modest Proposal to Save Afghanistan—From Itself

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Burqa-clad women wait in line for food.
Burqa-clad women wait in line for food.

The U.N. Knows Afghanistan Is Messed Up. But It’s Keeping Mum.

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, seen here in 2014, is a member of a group of exiled warlords and other leaders who want the Taliban to widen the makeup of Afghanistan's government and include them.
Afghan warlord Abdul Rashid Dostum, seen here in 2014, is a member of a group of exiled warlords and other leaders who want the Taliban to widen the makeup of Afghanistan's government and include them.

Afghanistan’s Warlords Prepare Their Comeback

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Members of Taliban stand in front of the site where the Shahmama Buddha statue once stood before being destroyed in Afghanistan.
Members of Taliban stand in front of the site where the Shahmama Buddha statue once stood before being destroyed in Afghanistan.

The Taliban Take Aim at Buddhist Heritage

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
Armed militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan pose for photographs.
Armed militants of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan pose for photographs.

Pakistan Sponsored Terror Next Door. Now, It’s Back to Roost

Analysis
Lynne O’Donnell
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